Ronald Jean 'Ronnie' Ulbrich, age 78 of Hondo, passed away at home Dec. 21, 2021, surrounded by his family.

Ronnie was born March 5, 1943, in Hondo, to Jean and Jacque Ulbrich.

Ronnie grew up in Hondo and graduated from Hondo High School in 1961. He played football and basketball all four years of high school, and attended Rice University on a football scholarship, where he earned his bachelor of science in business.

He married a Louisiana girl, Linda Jean Charlet, and settled down in Louisiana for a time, then brought his bride to Hondo in 1973.

After returning home to Hondo, Ronnie purchased the local hardware store. He and Linda owned and operated Ulbrich's True Value Hardware Store in Hondo together for over 40 years until he fell ill. Linda continues to manage the store with the help of their daughter Joanna and granddaughter Allyson.

Ronnie also loved to repair water wells, a skill he learned working in the oil fields during college. He frequently worked seven days a week, running the store and keeping wells operating on farms and ranches all around the county. In later years, when he could no longer physically work on the pumps, he would talk farmers and ranchers through how to repair the problem over the phone from the back of the hardware store.

A devout Catholic, Ronnie was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hondo, where he served as a lay commentator and parish council member. He also supported his wife in her work as a youth group leader.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacque (Cochran) and Jean Ulbrich; infant sister, Judith Ann; parents-in-law, Betty Jo (LeDoux) and George Joseph Charlet Sr.; brother-in-law, George Joseph Charlet Jr; and nephew, Artie Massena.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Joanna (Greg) Purvis and Alexia (Jeff) Anderson; grandchildren, John Dan Jr., Keith, Carter, Sam and Allyson Davis, Emily Davis (Reagan) Moughon, and Lizzie, Jane, Judah and Joshua Anderson; sister, Mary Francis Massena; nephew, Brett Massena and son Joshua; niece, Marissa (John) Ellis, and their children, Belize and Reef.

Rosary and Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hondo, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Graff 7A Ranch dance barn.